Sunday short takes Last word
basketball in a good place in the Big East. And if the roster of Power Five-level schools keeps increasing, the university is positioned well.
Derek Jeter will be in Bridgeport on Aug. 14 for an Earth, Wind and Fire concert set to benefit his Turn 2 Foundation at the Hartford Health Amphitheatre at 7:30 p.m. Jeter will be fielding questions from the audience before the show. Partial proceeds will support Turn 2’s programs that “inspire youth to lead healthy lifestyles, serve as leaders in their communities and create positive change.”
For tickets and info, visit livenation.com.
Jim Mora was a little surprised to be asked this week about Victor Rosa being left off the Maxwell Award Watch List, noting Rosa, a sophomore running back from Bristol, was third on the UConn depth chart behind Devontae Houston and Brian Bruton, who are now healthy. The Maxwell Award is given to college football’s most outstanding player.
Rosa the next day made the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, which values versatility. They didn’t look at the depth chart apparently.
UMass had been eyeing Fenway Park, and then Gillette Stadium for its late-November home game against UConn. Neither deal could be closed, so the game will now be played in Amherst, with students away for Thanksgiving.
How many have noticed that in addition to his torrid hitting (40 homers) and valuable pitching (9-5, 3.32 ERA) for the Angels, Shohei Ohtani also has 14 stolen bases?
Former UConn baseball coach Andy Baylock, 85, finished up another summer throwing BP for the Norwich Sea Unicorns. He says he threw 250-275 per game, coming to the set position, mixing in curveballs. “My arms is fine,” he said. “My feet are killing me, though.”
It’s hard to fathom a franchise that hired and fired Billy Martin five times in the 1970s and
’80s could have one of the strangest weeks in its history in 2023, but it was quite a chaotic week for the Yankees.
Pitcher, Domingo German, who threw a perfect game a few starts ago, was scratched from a start with a vaguely-reported injury, then appeared in relief to throw five innings. The next night he reportedly showed up intoxicated and, after a clubhouse fit, agreed to go to alcohol rehab and is out for the season.
A hitter in a long slump, Anthony Rizzo, went on the injured list with a post-concussion symptoms he apparently been feeling for two months — this with an organization known for being extra cautious with injuries.
And the trade deadline came and went with the team two or three games out of a playoff spot with no significant moves.
It’s easy to blame the analytics, but all teams use them. Analytics are only as good as those applying them and how they’re applied. It’s time for the Yankees to step back and take a long, tough look at how the organization is functioning top to bottom.